Young Danish racing talent Cato Poulsen received an F3 test drive with Campos Racing, an award for winning the 2015/16 Formula Gulf Championship. Campos Racing is a Spanish top team participating in GP2, GP3, Formula E and F3, all well known series just below F1.

The activities were spread over 3 days with the first two days, provided by Campos Academy, dedicated to F3 simulator and physical training prior to a full day of track testing on the technical and demanding Valencia circuit. Cato quickly adapted to the advanced simulator and was able to achieve competitive and consistent lap times with-in a few hours.

On Day 3 the challenge was to turn Cato’s simulator results into reality on the track in one of the Campos Dallara F3 race cars which compete in the EuroFormula Open Championship. With an established top driver setting a reference lap time, there was no room for excuses. Diligently and goal oriented Cato had to work on driving the perfect line and pushing the F3 racecar to the limit. A big task for a 16 year old for his first time in an F3 on a track he had never driven before. Throughout the day Cato improved his lap times and set a personal best time on the last session. The lap time was unusually good for a driver of his age and experience, a very solid result to build from.

The Dallara F3 single seater race car used in the test can pull over 3G during braking and high speed cornering. Turn 1 in Valencia is attacked from over 230 kph in 6th gear and demonstrates the phenomenal grip of a modern F3 car and the huge physical and mental stress the driver is subjected to.

Next week Cato starts his summer campaign with the first round of the MRC’s Tiedeman Trophy Championship which takes place at the MSVR meeting at Rockingham in the UK where Cato will again be driving one of GulfSport Racing’s Ralf Firman designed Formula Gulf single seaters.